American health and well-being is on the decline, according to a recent poll. Many people set New Year’s resolutions to get healthy and focus on wellness, yet statistics show that most of us give up on our resolutions by February

If you want to bring more self-care and wellness into your life, but you struggle to keep resolutions, it can help to set realistic, achievable, and affordable goals. Here are some tips to help you create a wellness plan (and stick with it) without breaking the bank:

Set Intentions, Not Resolutions

Let’s face it: Keeping a resolution can feel daunting at times. Even worse, if you fall short of your goal or fail to maintain your resolution throughout the year, you might feel like a failure. Instead, consider setting an intention to bring more health and wellness into your life this year.

According to The Art of Wellbeing, we break our resolutions when they feel too “rigid” or unclear. One alternative is to follow the “desire mapping” process as outlined by author Danielle LaPorte. By tapping into how you want to feel and then setting goals that help you achieve those feelings, you may find it easier to maintain a continued state of wellbeing.

When it comes to setting goals, the Art of Wellbeing recommends asking yourself the following questions:

What is it I really want here?
How do I want to feel?
What are my core desired feelings?

You can ask these questions in terms of any area of your life, such as money and finances, family and relationships, or health and wellness. Setting flexible goals based on your desired feelings will help you develop a growth mindset, an essential skill for athletes as well as for anyone looking to improve their life.

Plan a Vacation

Nothing can be more rejuvenating than some time away on vacation. Unfortunately, many people don’t go on vacation because they don’t think it’s affordable. One idea is to save by planning a “staycation” and renting a vacation home in the off-season. While you may not be far from home, you can rent a home in your favorite LA neighborhood near the activities you love. For example, if you want to go out to eat, shop, and maybe take in a game or concert, then Central Los Angeles is the ideal location. If you’d prefer a more peaceful vacation, you can rent a beach home in Santa Monica or Venice Beach. Most vacation homes come with fully equipped kitchens so you can save by cooking your own meals as well (and eat healthier).

Simplify Self-care

What comes to mind when you think of self-care? Perhaps you picture luxurious activities like massages, trips to the day spa, champagne toasts, or exotic travels. However, self-care can be much simpler and more affordable than that!

Here’s how to work wellness into your routine:

Yoga is a gentle wellness practice that you can do from the comfort of your home. Search the web for free videos to suit your experience level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) and any physical conditions you might have. For instance, if you have lower back pain, you might look into yoga postures specifically designed to relieve your symptoms.
Meditation helps you stay present with mindfulness and deep breathing. This can be a simple, convenient way to bring wellbeing into each day. If you’re new to meditating, free YouTube videos can guide you through a brief meditation. Meanwhile, low-cost smartphone apps can remind you to take regular breaks.
Pamper yourself -- even when finances are tight! For instance, even if you’re on a budget, a massage from licensed massage therapist Jesse Mansfield can relieve pain and stress. Call 818.723.6310 to book an appointment.

Although health and wellness resolutions might feel difficult to maintain at first, that doesn’t mean your goals are unachievable. Start by setting a budget, getting clear on how you’d like to feel, and getting creative with your routine. That way, you’ll be more likely to stick with your self-care goals throughout the new year -- and throughout your lifetime.